Lyft and China's Baidu look to bring robotaxis to Europe next year | TechCrunch
Briefly

Lyft announced a partnership with Baidu to introduce robotaxis in Europe, specifically in Germany and the UK by 2026, contingent on regulatory approval. This marks Lyft's entry into the European market after acquiring the FREENOW multi-mobility app. The integration of Baidu's RT6 autonomous vehicles into Lyft's service exemplifies a hybrid approach combining AVs and human drivers. Lyft's acceleration into the European market comes as it competes with Uber, which has secured numerous partnerships with various autonomous technology firms.
Lyft's partnership with Baidu will allow for the deployment of Apollo Go autonomous vehicles in Europe, enhancing ride-hailing options through robotaxi services planned for Germany and the UK by 2026.
The integration of Baidu's RT6 robotaxis into Lyft's service highlights a ‘hybrid network approach’ combining autonomous vehicles and drivers to offer a wider range of travel options.
Lyft's acquisition of FREENOW expanded its reach into Europe, marking a significant shift as the company seeks to compete globally against rivals like Uber.
The competition between Lyft and Uber in autonomous vehicle partnerships intensifies as both companies aim to enhance their services by collaborating with tech firms like Baidu.
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